Portable power supply with valve for dual tool operations



March 10, 1970 P. R. CHIRCO 3,499,466

PORTABLE POWER SUPPLY WITH VALVE FOR DUAL TOOL OPERATIONS Filed July 12. 1968 I/ M 1a /1 I 4/ I I j' lNVEN'IfOR.

United States Patent U.S. Cl. 137624.18 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus whereby a pair of hydraulic tools can be actuated from a common fluid source.

The present invention relates to fluid actuated apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for use with hydraulically actuated tools for setting rivets such as lockbolts or the like.

In many applications rivets, such as lockbolts, are set by means of hydraulically actuated tools in situations in which a source of hydraulic power is not readily available. In such applications a portable power supply is normally utilized. These hydraulically actuated tools contain a pull piston which is actuated by fluid pressure in one direction to set the rivet and is actuated in an opposite direction by means of fluid pressure to cause ejection of the rivet from the tool as well as the return of the pull piston to its original position in readiness to accept a next fastener to be set. In one type of remote power supply an actuating valve of the type shown in the US. patent to Van Hecke No. 3,001,548 is used and operates in conjunction with the tool such that in one position of the actuating valve the high pressure side of the source is connected to the pull side of the piston to cause setting of the fastener and the return end of the piston is connected to the low pressure return side of the source. In the other position of the actuating valve the high pressure side of the source is connected to the return side of the piston and the pull side of the piston is connected to the low pressure return side of the source whereby the piston is returned to its original position. This actuating valve and power supply are used with a single tool. However, in many applications it is desirable that more than one tool be utilized; in order to obviate the need for a separate portable power supply and actuating valve for each tool, it is desirable that several tools be operated from the single power supply. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable power supply for use with fluid actuated apparatus whereby more than one such apparatus can be utilized with the single power supply.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable power supply for use with hydraulically actuated tools for setting fasteners in which more than one such tool can be operated from the portable power supply.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide apparatus for use with a portable power supply having an actuating valve of the above described type whereby more than one tool can be operated from the same power supply and valve.

It is important that the actuating valve of the above described type be controlled by either of two tools such that the pull and return strokes of each tool can be initiated and completed independently of each other. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide novel apparatus for use with a power supply and actuating valve of the above described type whereby a pair of tools can be operated from the portable power supply and whereby the actuating valve will be actuated by either tool such that both tools can be independently operated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus for use with a plurality of hydraulically actuated tools for setting rivets which tools can be connected for operation to a single power supply, with the apparatus permitting simultaneous operation of the tools.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a hydraulic schematic diagram of apparatus of the present invention, and

FIGURE 2 is an electrical schematic diagram of apparatus of the present invention.

Looking now to the present invention, a pair of hydraulically actuated tools 10 and 12 are generally, diagrammatically shown with the tool 10 having a pull piston 14 in a cylinder 16 and with the tool 12 having a pull piston 18 in a cylinder 20. The tools 10 and 12 are used in conjunction with a portable power supply shown in block form and generally indicated by the numeral 22, which includes an actuating valve 24 which is of the type shown in the patent to Van Hecke, supra. The portable power supply 22 has a high pressure outlet side 23 and a low pressure return side 25.

Connected to the actuating valve 24 is a hydraulic pull pressure line 26 and a return pressure line 28. The valve 24 was originally provided for single tool operations and in such application the tool was connected directly to lines 26 and 28 and valve 24 was first switched to provide pull pressure to line 26 to move the tool piston in its work stroke with the line 28 connected to return and valve 24 was next switched to provide pressure to line 28 (line 26 connected to return) whereby the piston was returned. In the two tool apparatus of the present invention both the pull and return strokes of both tools are accomplished with valve 24 in its first actuated position. The actuating valve 24 is operative with the pull pressure line 26 and power supply 22 such that when one or both of the tools 10 and 12 is actuated in a pull condition, i.e., in which the pressure is applied to the rod end of the pistons 14 and/ or 18, the high pressure side 23 of the supply 22 is connected through the actuating valve 24 through the pull pressure line 26 to the rod of pistons 14 and/or 18 and the low pressure side 25 of the supply 22 is connected to the return line 28 whereby fluid from the head end of the pistons 14 and/or 18 is returned to tank in the power supply 22. Also while in the first position of the actuating valve 24, one or both of the tools 10 and 12 is being returned with the high pressure side 23 of the supply 22 being connected to the head end of the pistons 14 and/ or 18 via the pressure line 26 with the fluid being returned from the rod end of the pistons 14 and/or 18 via the return line 26. In the second position of valve 24 the operating cycle of both tools has been completed and the power supply 22 is in an idling condition. A check valve 31 is located in line 28 such that only return fluid back to the source 22 can be transmitted via line 28 with the valve 31 blocking fluid flow in the opposite direction. More specifically, looking to FIGURE 1, the pull and return pressure lines 26 and 28 are connectable to opposite ends of cylinder 16 via a solenoid actuated valve 36 and to opposite ends of cylinder 20 via a solenoid actuated valve 42. The head and rod ends of cylinder 16 are connected to the valve 36 by lines 37 and 39, respectively, while the pull pressure line 26 is connected to valve 36 via line 41 and return line 28 is connected to valve 36 via line'30. A flow control valve 43 is connected in line 41 and serves a purpose to be described. In the position of valve 36 as shown high pressure fluid from line 26 will be transmitted to the head end of cylinder 16 to return piston 14 to its original position; fluid from the rod end of cylinder 16 is returned through check valve 31 and line 28. The head and rod ends of cylinder 20 are connected to the valve 42 by lines 45 and 47, respectively; while the pull pressure line 26 is connected to valve 42 via line 49 and return line 28 is connected to valve 42 via line 50. A flow control valve 52 (similar to valve 43) is connected in line 49 and serves a purpose to be described. In the position of valve 42 as shown, high pressure fluid from line 26 will be transmitted to the head end of cylinder 20 to return piston 18 to its original position; fluid from the rod end of cylinder 20 is returned through check valve 31 and line 28.

By energization of solenoid 36a of valve 36, the valve 36 will be placed in its alternate position in which the connection between lines 37, 39 and 26, 28 are reversed. Thus with solenoid 36a energized and valve 36 actuated, pressurized fluid from line 26 will be connected to the rod end of cylinder 16 whereby the pull stroke of tool will be effectuated; at the same time the head end of cylinder 16 will be connected to return line 28, likewise, by energization of solenoid 42a valve 42 will be actuated and pressurized fluid from line 26 will be connected to the rod end of cylinder 20 whereby the pull stroke of tool 12 will be eflectuated; at the same time the head end of cylinder 20 will be connected to return line 28.

As previously noted, with the two tools 10 and 12 connected to the power supply 22, it is important that once the operating cycle of tool 10 has been initiated by actuation of valve 24 that actuation of tool 12 also be permitted and that valve 24 remain actuated until completion of the operating cycle of both of the tools 10 and 12, i.e., both the pulling and return strokes of the pistons 14 and 18. In other words, since the actuation of the tools 10,

12 is caused by the operation of the actuating value 24, this operation must be such that the operating cycle of both tools 10 and 12 can be completed before valve 24 is deactuated. The electrical circuitry of FIGURE 2, in conjunction with the hydraulic circuit of FIGURE 1 provide that both tools can be concurrently actuated.

The circuitry shown in FIGURE 2 is energized from a source of alternating potential by means of a pair of electrical lines 58 and 60 which are connected to the primary P1 of a step-down transformer T1 which has its secondary SE1 connected to the remainder of the circuitry.

The transformer T1 has one side connected to solenoids 36a and 42a via conductors 62 and 64, respectively, with conductor 62 being connected to one side of a coil 66a for a time delay relay 66. Conductor 64 is connected to one side of relay coil 68a for a relay 68. Switch S1 has one side connected to a conductor 70 from the opposite side of secondary SE1 and has its opposite side connected to the opposite side of solenoid coil 36a via line 74 via a conductor 72. Thus when switch S1 is closed the voltage at secondary SE1 will be connected across solenoid coil 36a causing valve 36 to be actuated. Likewise, switch S2 has one side connected to conductor 70 via a conductor 76 and has its opposite side connected to the opposite side of solenoid coil 42a via line 78. Thus when switch S2 is closed the voltage at secondary SE1 will be connected across solenoid coil 42a causing valve 42 to be actuated. Thus actuation of switches S1 and S2 will control the condition of associated valves 36 and 42 whereby the pull and return strokes of associated tools 10 and 12 will be effectuated; however, for a full operating cycle to be completed for either or both tools '10 and 12, it is required that the valve 24 be held in its actuated position with fluid pressure in line 26 and return pressure in line 28. For normal single tool operation valve 24 will be controlled directly by the switch (such as S1) associated with the tool and, of course, the lines 26 and 28 would be connected directly to the tool. For the two tool constructions shown the actuation of valve 24 is through the timer 66. The timer 6. is a time delay relay having normally opened contacts 66b which are serially connected with solenoid 24a and to a source 80 of A-C potential. Thus when timer coil 66a is energized contacts 66b will be closed whereby solenoid 24a will be immediately energized causing valve 24 to be actuated, i.e., connecting lines 23 and 26 and lines 25 and 28. The timer coil 66a will be energized by closing of either switch S1 or S2 and will remain energized as long as either switch is held closed. When both switches S1 and S2 are opened the timer coil 66a will be deenergized. When timer coil 66a is de-energized the opening of the contact 66b will be delayed for a preselected interval. This time interval is selected to be of suflicient duration to permit the tool associated with the last to be opened switch to complete its return cycle. This will be better understood from the following description of operation of the apparatus of FIGURES 1 and 2. If tool 12 is solely actuated switch S2 will be closed energizing solenoid 42a causing valve 42 to be shifted to its actuated position connecting lines 47 and 49 to drive the piston 18 in its work stroke and connecting lines '45 and 50 to permit return of fluid from the head end of piston 18. With switch S2 closed timer coil 66a, having one end connected to one side of SE1, is energized by having its opposite end connected to the other side of SE1 via conductor 82, normally closed contacts 68b of relay 68 (not presently energized), line 84, line 78, switch S2 and lines 76 and 70. With timer coil 66a energized valve 24 will be actuated via energization of solenoid 24a. Upon completion of the work stroke the operator will release the trigger and opening switch S2 whereby solenoid coil 42a and time coil 6611 will be de-energized. This will result in valve 42 shifting to its deactuated condition in which lines 47 and 50 and lines 45 and 49 are connected causing return of the piston 18. Note that unlike the single tool operation for valve 22 reciprocation of the tool piston is caused by the intermediate valve 42 hence it is necessary to have valve 24 actuated. Thus even though timer coil 66a is de-energized when switch S2 is opened the contacts 66b will stay closed for a time suflicient to hold valve 24 actuated until piston 18 is returned. The apparatus operates similarly for tool 10. Thus switch S1 will be closed energizing solenoid 24a causing valve 24 to be shifted to its actuated position connecting lines 39 and 41 and lines 37 and 30 to drive piston 14. With S1 closed relay coil 68a having one side connected to SE1 via line 64 will be energized via line 90, line 74, S1 and line 70 causing contacts 68b to be opened and 680 to be closed and the other side of coil 66a will be connected to the other side of SE1 via conductor 82, closed contacts 680 (normally opened), lines and 74, S1 and lines 72 and 70. The result will be energization of solenoid 24a and operation in the same manner described for tool 12 and switch S2. Upon completion of the work stroke of tool 12 switch S2 will be opened resulting in de-energization of solenoid coils 42a and 68a. Valve 36 will shift to its deactuated position causing piston 14 to be returned. With contact 680 opened timer coil 66a will be de-energized; however, as per the prior discussion contact 66b will not be opened for a selected period maintaining valve 24 actuated until return of the piston 14. Note that the relay 68 isolates the circuits controlled by switch S1 and S2 while permitting common control of timer 66. Regardless of which switch S1 or S2 is closed first timer coil 66a will be held energized until both switches S1 and S2 are opened thereby assuring completion of the return stroke of the last tool to be deactuated.

The valves 43 and 52 restrict the fiow to a preselected rate permitting simultaneous operation of both tools 10 and 12 within the maximum flow rate capabilities of the power supply 22. Check valve 31 assures no flow of preswhen valves 24, 36 and 42 are in their deactuated position.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a source of hydraulic power having a high pressure outlet and a low pressure return and a control valve having first and second outlets connected to the high pressure outlet and low pressure return, respectively, with the control valve in one condition and having the first and second outlets connected to the low pressure return and high pressure outlet, respectively, with the control valve in another condition, apparatus for controlling the operation of at least two tools having hydraulically actuated pistons having a two-stroke cycle said apparatus comprising: first control means actuable in response to a first signal for actuating the control valve from its one condition to its other condition and actuable in response to a second signal for actuating the control valve back to its one condition after a preselected time interval, second control means for one of the tools and selectively operable for controlling actuation of its piston, said second control means including a second control valve having first and second fluid paths connected to the first and second outlets, respectively, of the control valve with said second control valve in a first condition and connected to the second and first outlets, respectively, of the control valve with said second control valve in a second condition, said second control means including first switch means selectively actuatable by the operator for actuating said second control valve and for providing said first signal in response to actuation of said second control valve to said first condition and for providing said second signal in response to actuation of said second control valve to said second condition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising third control means for another of the tools and selectively operable for controlling actuation of its piston, said third control means including a third control valve having first and second fluid passages connected to the first and second outlets, respectively, of the control valve with said second control valve in a primary condition and connected to the second and first outlets, respectively, of the control valve with said third control valve in a secondary condition, said third control means including second switch means selectively actuatable by the operator for actuating said third control valve and for providing said first control signal in response to actuation of said third control valve to said primary condition and for providing said second signal in response to actuation of said third control valve to said secondary condition.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 with said first control means actuatable by said second signal only in the absence of said first signal from both said first and second switch means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including flow control means connected to both said second and third control valves for limiting the total maximum fluid flow to a magnitude no greater than the flow capacity of the source.

S. The apparatus of claim 4 with said first, second, and third control means including electrical circuit means for connecting said first and second switch means to electrically controlled apparatus for the control valve and said first and second control valves, said circuit means comprising first circuit means for the electrically controlled apparatus for said first control valve and second circuit means for the electrically controlled apparatus for said second control valve, and third circuit means connected to the electrically controlled apparatus for the control valve and connected to both said first and second circuit means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 with said third circuit means comprising a switch device connected to said first and second circuit means with said first and second circuit means being electrically isolated.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 with said switch device being a relay.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 with said third circuit means comprising a time delay relay.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ALAN COHAN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 91448 mg? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 499, 466 Dated arch 10, 1970 Inventor(s) Peter R. Chirco It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 35, "Value" should be -valve- Column 3, line 39, "provide" should be -provides-- Column 4, line 70, after "pres" insert --surized fluid to the tools 10 or 12 through return line 30-- SIGNED AND swan 6 Amt:

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